what brand would you recommend?

I have two laptops and they are both Dell. Dell is a reliable brand and they are flexible to use also. My first Dell lasted for 12 years and the second one is one year old. I still use the older one sometimes.

as regards laptop brands normally i like 3 brands in particular as hp,dell and ibm too!!normally they create quality laptop and even design form an external view is nice!!Prices naturally are various depending from specs but i think that as for dell or hp too you can find really good price and have also he opportunity to configure it from the net!! Another brands i like is alienware as high end pc..they normally have really super configuration and the design is really original but unluckly they are so expensive so they are different as concept from other brands!!